Meet Megan Williams | Art Therapist and Creative Program Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was always a creative. I used to dream of being in the clouds at night sprinkling stars down on people who needed inspiration. This was literally a reoccurring dream I had in my childhood. My family was accepting of me being a free spirit and were humored by the fact that I was in my own world most of the time. They put me into the school of creative and performing arts early on, along with other extracurricular activities that encouraged and developed my many interests. I was also always very sensitive. My artistic inclination and my tendency toward service to others is what eventually led me to accept that I would rebel against the traditional career path set before me.

So I floated around for a few years after high school and college, just trying to find my way.
Well in 2010, my older sister Lauren who had battled cancer since the age of 5, passed away. It was a time in my life at 22 years old where everything that I had ever known changed drastically. At that time, my good friend was also in a transitional period, and she asked me to help her to launch a business working with kids. My first thought was to develop a nonprofit organizational structure. Well I contributed fresh ideas and crazy work ethic, because I had nothing but time on my hands, a genuine desire to help people, and a creative knack for getting things done. What I brought was my past experiences and the desire to honor my sister. She was a true light in the lives of everyone she encountered. She LOVED children, and was also heavily into crafting. I thought it was a blessing I could use that opportunity to keep her memory alive. Our business ended up thriving for a decade and turned into something neither of us had imagined, carrying us and our growing families through the years as we grew together as friends and partners. Starting this venture is what gave me the confidence and helped me to hone in on and develop my individual vision for Artsy Blue.

I knew that entrepreneurship was a route I should continue to take in order to have the unique impact that I planned on in my community. During this time and toward the later years, I began to understand how I could really see myself taking things to another level and I also learned more about my individual gifts and talents. I came up with my own “brand” and began to volunteer at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and conduct “Patient Parties”. Again, my focus started off as service in and artistic environment. Growing up, I was heavily impacted by the programs that were offered to siblings of the children who spent a lot of time in the hospital. Lauren was there so much. They would have clowns and crafts and play sessions and when I looked back, I realize that those people helped me through trauma that I didn’t even understand I was experiencing. I wanted to give back in that same way. I really just wanted to do art and help the kids. That is the foundation of what I do. Use art as a therapeutic outlet to help children find ways of coping and thriving during life’s difficult times; introduce art as a new way to create joy and peace in their lives. With my background in drama, visual arts and music I can effectively bring these elements to children through my camps, parties and enrichment programs. I named my business Artsy Blue as a merge between my purpose and keeping Laurens spirit intertwined. Her favorite color was BLUE.

The traction I had built and also our business YBC were both shut down due to Covid.
I went on the have my second child that year also. All the changes and down time gave me a chance to reset and go back to the drawing board of how I could make my own business work for the long run. I knew that I wanted to create something special that would be able to influence kids like me, who could use a creative outlet and experience positive mind transformation in a unique way. I went on to study and become a Certified Art Therapist and began to branch out to offer more creative entertainment and programs. I went legit with my business structure in Fall of 2020 and it’s been onward and upward since. There are new developments and as we continue to grow, I want to keep the integrity of my foundation which is encourage and empower children to explore a creative outlet and increase mindfulness, boost self-esteem and overcome life’s obstacles using art.

What should our readers know about your business?
It has been an ongoing process of self-discovery to get to the place I am at today. I feel like what sets me apart is that I have a genuine heart to want to pour into children with a focus on helping them to find harmony within who they truly are inside, and confidence to not settle for the limiting expectations of the culture. I have learned that though it may be the road less travelled, it is so fulfilling to tap into what you love and do things YOUR WAY. So while it may not always make sense to everyone else, there’s so much beauty and purpose in the uniqueness that we all possess. One of the gems I have found in life is how vitally important it is to have a creative outlet. Yes, we are all creative in some way, because we were created by God and in his image. So finding out how to access that power within is key. This is what I want to help people discover.
I am most excited about the many ways that we are bringing this vison to life. Most recently, becoming a PUBLISHED children’s book Author is the most amazing and proud accomplishment for me. I plan to reach even more people and hit my goal from all angles by using more resources like literature to show why creativity is essential to living a purposeful and fulfilled life. My first picture book under the Artsy Blue brand is set to release in October 2022 and titled “Paint my World:

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would plan to find some artsy events and mix it with outdoors and casual fun to hang with friends for the weekend. Lets find out what venue has a live band playing or open mic night for Friday. On Saturday early in the day, we can go to a new place to eat with great views, and walk along the beltline, shopping and enjoying the energy. Lets look on eventbrite and see if we can find a paint class or exhibition to go to before it gets dark. Saturday evening I would suggest to catch a movie or concert in the park. I would treat ourselves to a spa date or self care session on a Sunday morning, and then brunch to bring some excitement and meet new fun people.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My dedication goes to my late sister Lauren Rachelle Williams. She was a true angel on earth and I know her spirit is what has given me the wind beneath my wings.

I would also like to acknowledge my friend and business partner Jasmine Robinson who took me by the hand and believed that I had value as a young woman, for trusting me with her original vision and sharing the experiences of early entrepreneurship with me.

My parents have always given me the freedom the explore and shine light in any way that I chose to and supported any idea that I have presented till this day. I know I couldn’t have had the confidence to be myself fully without that unconditional love and encouragement.

Instagram: @artsyblue.kids

Image Credits
Aja Martin Megan Williams